The underdog

Age 22 Bike Kawasaki ZX-10RR Staking his claim as Underdog of the Year is Toprak Razgatlioglu. The Turk is being mooted as a future Rea teammate, possibly by as early as next year, but for now continues with the private Puccetti team which receives factory support. Not only does Toprak have a year of superbike experience under his belt, but the 22-year-old placed fifth in the Jerez test despite being yet to get his hands on Kawasaki’s latest specification engine. The Kenan Sofuoglu prodigy is a tantalising prospect. Experienced crew chief Phil Marron will work with Toprak, having moved from SMR where he worked with Eugene Laverty. With circuit data from 2018 and the new ten-lap Sprint Races screaming ‘opportunity’, Razgatlioglu is sure to be a contender, having already finished on the rostrum in Britain and Argentina last year.